Improvement in fenders for vehicle-wheels



E. P. ROCHE.

FENDERS FOR VEHICLE WHEELS. No, 174;,381. Patented March 7,1878.

UNITED "STATES PATENT :Orrrcn;

EDWARD P. ROCHE, OF BATH, MAINE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FENDERS FOR VEHICLE-WHEELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 174,381, dated March 7, 1876; application filed February 17, 1876.

To all whom it may concern y y Be it known that I, EDWARD P. Rocnn, M. D., of Bath, Sagadahoc county, Maine, have invented certain Improvements in Ghafe-Irons,

of which the following is a specification:

These improvements relate to chafe-irons, so called, for wheeled vehicles, in which a roller mounted within a'suitable frame receives the friction and thrusts of the wheel, in lieuof a rigid fender or plate, as was generally in use prior to the introduction of the roller.

My invention particularly relates to, and is an improvement on, the devices shown and described in my, Letters Patent No. 95,381, of September 28, 1869, and No. 127,645, of June 4, 1872.

The drawings accompanying this specification represent in Figure l a perspective view, and Fig. 2 an under side view, of the frame of implement, showing attachment of rattlespring; in Fig. 3, a section of chafe iron through its roll, and in Fig. 4 a view of rattle-spring. I

' In these drawings, the frame of the device is shown at A, B, and O, as cast in one piece, and of which A is the main body or strap, which is to be secured tothe carriage-body in a suitable manner. B is an arched branch or arm, departing from the former at an obtuse angle thereto, while 0 is a short prong or horn, formed by bending the end-of the branch B toward and about parallel with the longest plane of the strap A. Between the base A and horn G I dispose the anti-friction roller G, which is retained in place and rolls upon a pin or shaft, E, which passes axially through it, the inner end of this pin being square or polygonal, (and, by preference, somewhat tapering,)andenteringacorrespondingly-shaped socket, F, created in the adjacent part of the frame A, the opposite end of said pin E being cylindrical, and stepped in a cell, a, created in a nut, H, which is screwed into the horn G, as shown in Fig. 1. Within the cell a, and interposed between its bottom and the end of the pin -E, I place a diskof rubber or other suitable material to prevent rattle and insure a close fit between the said pin and nut.

The above-described mode of securing the pin effectually prevents it from turning with the roll or becoming loose in its bearings, and

also excludes dust and dirt. The shape of the frame renders it compact, strong, and ornamental, and admirably adapted to the purpose intended.

My purpose in adding the horn O is the more effectually to guide the wheel upon the roller, thus increasing the space which receives the wheel without adding to the length of the roll. The roll has an interior core or annular concentric brushing, h, of Babbitt metal, or other analogous material, the purpose of which, in addition to other advantages, mainly, that it prevents rusting and sticking of the pin and roll, which would otherwise often occur, especially when a car- .riage is stored away for the season after having been washed. Other material may be employed for this bushing than Babbitt metalrawhide, for instance.

The ends of the roller D are convex or globular, as represented, in order to obviateliability of the wheel to force dirt or dust between them and the frame, and also to lessen the friction between the end of the roll and the frame, and to prevent oil from creeping or being thrown onto its periphery. The outer surface or periphery of the roll D is scored by oppositely-inclined oblique or spiral scores, the purpose of which is, first, to lighten the roll, which is important in some classes of chafe-irons; second, to constitute channels to receive and retain a comparatively soft metal, such astype-metal, for instance, where the material of the roll is excessively hard.

I do not limit myself to this especial method of scoring the periphery of the roll, as its surface may be abraded or roughened in various ways and secure the desired result.

I employ in this chafe-iron a spring, I, which is interposed between the outer end of the roll and the-horn (J, and this spring is constructed and adapted as followsthat is to say, it is produced from a thin steel plate, and fashioned into the form shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings-that is, as having two eyes, 0 d, in each end, and a lateral. offset or spur, c. This spring is bent into the form of a loop or yoke, as shown in Fig. 1, and is then applied to place by inserting it between the end of the roll and the horn 0, its two eyes embracing the pin E, and its spur e entering -a shallow po'cket created in the underside or head of said horn. This-spur and pocket prevent the spring from turning with the roll, and retain it in such a position as not to retain dirt, the latter having free escape through its head. This spring is to prevent-rattle and noiseot' the roll, and its construction is such as to occupy a very limited space between the end of the roll and thehorn G.

I claim 1. The frame, formed as shown, consisting of the base or strap A,-overreaching branch B, and horn O, substantially as and for purposes set forth. I

2. The pin or journal E, formed with a square or polygonal end entering a eorrespondi'ng socket in the'frame, and having its oppo purposes stated. I

4. The spring I, having eyes 0 and d and spur e, the spring being introduced between i the'roll and Horn 0, and 'inclosihg the pin E,

and its spur e entering a pocket in the horn, the parts being combined substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

EDWARD P. ROCHE, M. D. Witnesses:

F. CURTIS, W. E. BOABDMAN. 

